Batman killing the Joker: Utilitarianism vs Deontology

As a fictional character first

appeared in Batman #1

(Spring 1940)

Originally introduced as a

psychopath with a warped

and sadistic sense of humour.

In the late 1950s in

response to the regulation

of the Comics Code

Authority, the character

became a goofy prankster.

In the early 1970s he was

returned to his darker,

homicidal roots.

He killed the second Robin -

Jason Todd - by beating him to

death with a crowbar (A Death in

the family).

He shot Barbara Gordon (former

Batgirl) in the spine, paralyzing

her from the waist down. (The

killing joke)

He shot and killed Lieutenant

Sarah Essen, Commissioner

Gordon’s second wife, in front of

dozens of infants. (No Man’s

Land)

He has murdered countless

innocent citizens of Gotham city

and even his henchmen.

In the latest New 52 comics the

Joker had his face skinned

alive and is now wearing it as a

mask. (Faces of Death)

He also managed to instil doubt in the members of the

bat-family by suggesting that he might know all their

secret identities. (Death of the Family)

This would surely

prevent him from killing

further people.

This would make things

safer in Gotham.

Batman has considered this

many times.

Example: Hush storyline:

Batman is seriously considering

killing the Joker when Jim

Gordon stops him from doing

so.

Batman: “How many more lives

are we going to let him ruin?”

Jim: “I don’t care. I won’t let him

ruin yours.”

We all know that Batman’s

only rule is NO KILLING, but

doesn’t that make him selfish?

If Batman would make an

exception, just this time,

wouldn't that help make the

world a better place?

The argument of killing the Joker

is in its nature an Utilitarian one.

Utilitarianism is a system of ethics

that requires us to maximize the

total happiness or well-being

resulting from our actions.

Saving many lives at the cost of

one is a clear example of such

reasoning.

The exact opposite of

Utilitarianism is Deontology.

For deontologists, the end

never justify the means, but

the means must be justifiable

on their own merits.

Killing is wrong so no one

should kill for whatever

reason.

If Batman kills the Joker he

will not be the symbol of

hope he tries to be for

Gotham.

He will cross a line from which he would never return. (similar to what happened to Jean-Paul Valley in the

Knightfall saga)

He will be no better than the criminals he dedicated his

life to stop.

Link to Youtube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kscfb9XzPs

We could keep discussing

forever whether Batman should

or should not kill the Joker.

It is important to note that

thanks to “literature” (the

comics and movies) we have a

way to discuss such complex

philosophical issues without

experiencing them in real life

scenarios.

Unfortunately for Batman, but

luckily for us - Batman fans -

the Joker is not imaginary to

him, and he will struggle with

the issue of killing him for

many years to come in

different interpretations of the

character and in different

media.

For more information on how to use

Comics/Graphic Novels for educational

discussion, purposes, ect... Please visit our

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• Batman and Philosophy – Mark D. White and Robert Arp

• Riddle me this, Batman – Kevin K. Durand and Mary K. Leigh

• God on the streets of Gotham – Paul Asay

Joker Stories:• The Greatest Joker Stories ever told

• Batman: Lovers and Madmen

• Batman: Death to Rights

• Batman: Dark Detective

• Batman: The Killing Joke

• Batman: Death in the Family

• Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious

House on Serious Earth

• Robin 2: The Joker's Wild # 1-4

• Batman: No Man's Land, Bk. 4

• Batman: Joker's Last Laugh

• Batman: Man Who Laughs

• Joker (Brian Azzarello)

• Batman: Batgirl: Joker

• Batman: Its Joker Time

• Batman: I, Joker

• The Joker: Devil's Advocate

Interesting Readings: